Indian Journal of Private Psychiatry

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VOLUME 16 , ISSUE 1 ( January-June, 2022 ) > List of Articles

Original Article

What does not Kill You Makes You Stronger: An Online Survey into Healthcare Providers’ Mental Health during Corona Pandemic

Amrita Chakraborti, Suvajit Pal

Citation Information : Chakraborti A, Pal S. What does not Kill You Makes You Stronger: An Online Survey into Healthcare Providers’ Mental Health during Corona Pandemic. Ind J Priv Psychiatry 2022; 16 (1):14-24.

DOI: 10.5005/jp-journals-10067-0095

License: CC BY-NC 4.0

Published Online: 16-03-2022

Copyright Statement:  Copyright © 2022; The Author(s).


Abstract

Context: Novel corona virus poses a profound and interminable threat to humanity. Healthcare providers (HCPs)’ assigned responsibility to combat the disease from frontline put them in mortal danger takes a toll on their mental health. Aim and objective: To identify HCP's unmet mental health needs. Settings and design: A cross-sectional, online mental health survey was conducted during Unlock 1.0, June, 2020, among doctors and nursing staffs working in a South Bengal health district. Materials and methods: Tools used were an online semistructured questionnaire, Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale—21 Items, Insomnia Severity Index, and Brief Resilience Scale. Statistical analysis: Descriptive statistics, Chi-square, independent t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson and Spearman's correlation were done by SPSS-16. Results: Among 78 respondents, 74% are doctors, 56% males, and 80% aged between 21 and 50 years, married, having children, living with family, and working in tertiary Govt institute. About 62% had preexisting medical comorbidities, 50% had clinical insomnia, 28% opted for a psychiatric evaluation, but only half of them actually volunteered. Mean score for insomnia, depression, anxiety, stress, and resilience was 7.82, 5.72, 7.64, 4.13, and 20.27, respectively. “Fear of getting infected and infecting others” dominated 33% HCP's concern regarding COVID-19. Presence of medical and mental comorbidity, place of living, exposure, household duty, and exercise made significant difference to insomnia, stress, anxiety, and depression (p <0.05). One-fourth of population reported increase in sleep and had significant association with stress and depression (p <0.05). Conclusions: High unmet mental health needs of HCPs are evident in increased burden of sleep dysfunction, medical morbidity, and reluctance to disclose about psychological issues. Clarification needed on reported hypersomnia and effect of lockdown activities on mental health.


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